RIDE DESCRIPTION

The Great Marsh is the largest interdunal wetland in the Lake Michigan watershed and we are going to put you in the heart of it.

The Lake Michigan shoreline of Southern Chicago and Northwestern Indiana reveal the marks of a century-long conflict over land use in the region. Sand dunes, steel mills, power lines, marsh land, and a commercial harbor battled and share a ten-mile stretch along the lakeshore. These blimp in time squabbles may pale in comparison to what laid here tens of thousands of years ago...We'll learn the struggle for a National Park and discover the birthplace of ecology, the rise of Steel, and the Earth's geological forces that shaped this land.

Let's transport back to 1893's World’s Fair as we cruise along Chicago's world class museum campuses, Daniel Burnham, and Jackson Parks, to the beginnings of green spaces in Chicago. And pop in one of the last remaining wood-smoked seafood shacks in Illinois, for a mouth-watering snack.

And most important of all, spend an evening enjoying the Sand Dunes of the Indiana Dunes Lake Shore.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A Reserved One Night, Two Day Campsite

OOFD Field Guides/Ride leaders

Dinner on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday

Guided Nature hike and day ride

Firewood, S’mores, and campfire snacks

PARTICIPANTS RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Train fare

Camping equipment

Carrying their tent, and sleeping bag on their bike

We will be stopping at restaurants along the way for breakfast lunch and dinner. Participants are responsible for paying for their own Food & Drinks. Note: You are more than welcome to bring your own main meals for a picnic though understand it adds more weight and space to your gear.

RETURN/TRAIN INFO

The South Shore train has multiple stops along the south side of Chicago and ultimately stops at Millennium Station near Buckingham Fountain. A one way ticket costs around $8.00

WHAT TO BRING

Required Items

Your Bike, Tent, and Camping Gear

Cash/Debit/Credit Card for food drinks and train

Photo I.D.

A spare inner tube or two

Water bottle.

Bike LIGHTS, front and rear

Lock for your bike

High Energy Snacks

Personal Items- There are showers at the site so bring your own soap, small towel and deodorant.

Helmet- Please bring one

The Tour Guides will have

-A bike tool kit, an air pump, a presta/schrader valve adapter, tire lever, chain breaker, and a crescent wrench (for those older bikes), a multi-toolkit, lights and emergency packet. Our guides will help you with any needed repairs *If you have any of the above items please bring them along at your own convenience.

THE ROUTE

GENERAL TIPS

Bike rack

We suggest to purchase a back rack if you do not have one already. A bike back rack will improve this trip and any future riding you do on your own. A bike rack will also keep the weight off your shoulders. Stop in your local bike shop to help get your bike geared up. If not, this is a shorter trip and you may discover that

Keep it light and keep it tight!

Secure your belongings and keep highly used items accessible when packing. Light weight usually makes for a more enjoyable ride; So don’t bring your living room furniture on the ride. And Avoid dangling straps, they can get entangled in the wheels and cause an accident; Be smart and protect your safety.

​Dress for the season and dress in layers. In the spring and fall the outside temps may be great to wear a T-shirt but when biking the wind can make your chest, hands, and fingers cold. Bring a pair of gloves and a sweater/windbreaker if need be. If a little rain is in the forecast bring a rain jacket. Don’t be afraid of the rain!!! Some the best views is when a storm is on the horizon. If it gets intense there are shelters along the way to sit it out for the moment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can anyone ride your Tours?

Yes! It is a challenge. Just about anyone who has ridden a bike for a day can do the tour. You should build up your riding distance/endurance to at least 20 miles. Not sure you can ride it? Check out other people who completed the trail here

What kind of bike do I need?

It's really up to you. But we recommend a Touring, Road, Urban or Hybrid bike. These types of bikes make for a more comfortable ride. Attaching a bike rack will help carry your daily supplies and keep weight off your shoulders.

Do you rent bicycles out to the public?

At the moment no. Our goal as we continue to grow we will be able to provide bicycles for participants.

What if I get tired?

We champion perseverance and the challenge. We encourage to push on, the reward of completion is great. But if turning around is an absolute must, there is always a train station relatively close by throughout the entirety of the tours.

What should I bring for the bike trip?

Always bring a spare inner tube. Dress for the season: during spring and fall make sure to bring gloves for your hands and layer your clothing. Even when the weather is nice, when riding your bike the wind can make you chilly really quick.

What happens if it rains, is the event cancelled?

We still ride if there is a rain. Some of the best views are after a rain storm. But safety is our top priority so if there is severe extreme weather forecasted for the entire first day of the tour, then the event will cancelled by the organizer and we will contact you.

How fast do you Ride? What is the pace of your tours?

The pace we ride at is around 12 miles per hour. This is to accommodate everyone riding the tour and to be able to take in all the views. (For the faster Riders there will be segments where you can open up.)

What happens if I'm too slow? What happens if I'm too Fast?

We ride together as a group. We do not leave anybody behind. A guide will always be riding at the back and at the front.

Cancellation Policy

Individual/Participant Cancellations: No Refunds | We are a small organization and due to the small group size of our rides, a ticket cancellation/no show has a real impact into the planning of the tour and as such, we cannot provide any refunds for a participant cancellation. By registering you acknowledge and agree there will not be a refund if you cancel or do not show up for the event.

Organizer Cancellation: Full Refund | Nobody wants an event to be cancelled but if the organizer cancels the event at their discretion do to unforeseen circumstances, then registered participants will receive a full refund (excluding the small eventbrite processing fee).

Weather and Rain: We do not cancel an event for rain or a storm. We ride rain or shine. Understand that Chicago weather is typically passing, if it gets intense we will wait it out in a provided shelter then continue biking. FYI-Some of the best views and greenery are after a rain storm.

ABOUT US

We're the Out Our Front Door Organization.

We provide exploratory adventures by immersing and educating in the history, architecture and the uniquely beautiful natural habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.